The Crystal Skeleton's Quarry

Subject: The Crystal Skeleton's Quarry Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:55 pm

Treevor Hastfik, the TA in Anastacia Flynx "ELM280--The Fickle Wind class," walked up and down the stadium seating of the classroom, handing out a stack of papers to every row. As he moved throughout the sea of budding wizards, he spoke;

"What I'm passing out now is the assignment which will count as your first test in this class. The instructions explain it in more detail, but essentially what it comes down to is writing a 10 page paper on the scientific and metaphysical implications of wind mastery. It is due in one week." Returning to the front of the class, Treevor turned to face the entire room. "However," he began again "there is an alternative assignment."

At this, nearly every eye in the room jumped up to meet his hopefully. Only a few dedicated majors in wind magic were looking forward to an assignment like this. Most of these kids were looking for an easy way out. Treevor almost hated to smash their hopes...but then again, there was a part of him that relished the reactions he was about to receive.

"Stacie is organizing a two week trip to a stone quarry nearby where large deposits of magical stones have been discovered. It's been checked out, and there's nothing new or exciting there, so the more important wizards have decided to allow us to sift through rocks for them. As a learning experience."

As he spoke, Treevor watched their eyes drop back to their desks, dwelling once again on the paper they would have to write. He would never understand why people so averse to learning bothered trying to become wizards. Magic was nothing but a means to an end for them.

To the hopefuls whose eyes were still fixated on Treevor, he said "See me after class if you want to sign up. Class dismissed."
_________________
"Bears have penises. They can stick it in butts."
~LS

Honor and Virtue Joined : 31 Mar 2007 Posts : 4279

A grin spread across Eliane's face, which she didn't try to hide as she passed the papers down the row. Two weeks off from class? Who wouldn't jump at the chance? She set her paper down without looking at it, trying to guess who else in the class would be going.

As soon as the bell rang, Eliane walked up to Treevor. "I'm definitely interested, sir," she said. It wasn't until after she spoke that she realized she'd just volunteered to be two weeks behind in the rest of her classes and that the paper was one of the tamest assignments she'd seen lately.

Subject: Re: The Crystal Skeleton's Quarry Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:23 pm

Meanwhile, in another department:

"TWO WEEKS?!?" The angry yell echoed into the halls. "Two weeks hard labour! It's inhumane! It's preposterous! It's..."

"The only option I'm giving you, Mr. Gwynplaine" The stoic professor stared down his nose at the hyperactive student, noting with smug satisfaction that a look of frustration had replaced Ozy's trademark grin. "and no amount of fast-talking will get you out of it. Two weeks at the quarry, or you fail the course."

"Is this because of the exploding book thing, because I already told you that was part of my experiment..."

No, Mr. Gwynplaine. This is not because of the exploding book. Nor is it because of the slime chandelier, nor the frogs, nor the pantsless illusion last Tuesday. This is the blatant result of your inability to hand in a single report, essay, or reading assignment this semester. The only reason you to even get this chance is because your presentation wowed all the markers."

"Two weeks in a labour camp for missing an essay. I can't believe it."

"This is not a labour camp. It's a research trip, offering a hands on oppertunity for students such as yourself a chance to study the results of ma-"

"It's back-breaking quarry work. The type of work that prisoners do."

"You need these credits, Mr. Gwynplaine. If you fail, AGAIN, to get your Science of Magic credits, you will be removed from the program. End of story. The study of magical geology is one of the oldest branches of the Magical Sciences. Who knows, you might even learn some discipline."

The grin returned slowly to Ozys face.

"Fine, professor. You got me cornered. I guess there's no other option, eh?"

"None at all, Mr. Gwynplaine. I expect you to be prepared to leave Monday morning. PROMPTLY AT SUNRISE. Oh, and the quarry will be full of seers, there to identify the stones, so we'll know if you're up to any tricks."

"Two weeks hard labour. I could've stabbed a guy and got less then that. I could STILL stab a guy, and get less than this. Those quarries are haunted you know! Ghosts, Zombies, all manner of ghouls." Grumbling, Ozy left the professors office.

"Goodbye, Mr. Gwynplaine." The professor exclaimed sternly, leaning back in his chair, contently. 'That went better then I'd hoped. I deserve a reward." he leaned foreword, and opened the drawer where he kept his best pipe.

SPLORCH! A large amount of green slime erupted out oh his desk drawer, covering him completely.

Ozy's laughter seemed echoed through the halls for the rest of the afternoon.
_________________
"When most people agree with you, worry." Rappaport, 1981

Subject: Re: The Crystal Skeleton's Quarry Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:06 pm

"Mr. Rayner, can I speak with you a moment before you leave?"

"What is it Professor?"

"I have recently received word from Professor Flynx over in the Elemental Department that she is planning on organizing a two week trip to a stone quarry for the purpose of studying magical stones. She has asked me if I would provide a seer or two to help identify the stones, and I have decided to give you the option of going."

"But Professor, are you sure you want me to go? I mean, my grades so far have been far from perfect, and--"

"And that's exactly why I have chosen to give you this option," the professor interjected. "You've been performing rather poorly on written assignments and the like, despite the frequency of your visions as well as your skill at interpreting them. Because of this, I've come to the conclusion that you would most likely learn better in a more hands-on environment. Of course, I have to give you some kind of grade for those two weeks, so I would like you to write a 3-4 page paper on what you learned while you're there and how you applied that knowledge during the two weeks, due when you return."

"Thank you for this opportunity, Professor. It definitely looks interesting."

"Good. The group leaves at sunrise Monday morning, so make sure you're ready to go by then."

"Monday morning, sunrise. Got it. Thanks again, Professor." As Orin walked out of the classroom, he turned back and asked "Professor...you kept saying that I had this 'option', but you knew all along that I was going to say yes, didn't you?"

A smug smile crept onto the professor's face. "Of course."

Shivering Isles Resident Joined : 26 Mar 2007 Posts : 9693

“It… it’s stabilizing. IT’S STABILIZING!!!”
The Necromancer’s faced was damp with perspiration, but his eyes seemed to glow with a manic light. It was finally working. All the years he had spent, trying to find a stable combination of Blight and Order… it was finally paying off.

The room was a natural cavern, and while it was expanded by hand tools and the occasional spell, it still maintained a raw and untamed feel to it. Indeed, roots were clearly visible in the roof and walls, and small puddles of mud accumulated where water dripped down from them. several features were clearly unnatural; in the center was a metallic alter, holding a large chunk of purplish-black crystal in claws of steel. Arranged in a triangle around it were three identical steel obelisks, each holding a large crystal of their own. Unlike the central crystal, however, these glowed the standard magik blue, and pulsed with a steady rhythm. Surrounding all was a silent circle of zombies; some fresh and could have been buried yesterday, some ancient and were little more than rag clad bones; but most were somewhere between those stages of decomposition. The necromancer stood within the triangle, holding himself so close that his nose was almost touching the crystal. The blighted crystal. His baby.

He focused on the magiks pulsing from the blue focusing crystals, tweaking the input flows so as to hasten the Blighted one’s restructuring. Peering into it’s depths as if he were a seer, he monitored the cascade of colors within it. There was a slight pattern shift; a bit too much violet and not enough black. ‘Needs more blight,’ he thought as he stood up and strode over to the oldest zombie. “Sorry James,” he said sardonically, “but research comes first.” He placed a hand on the thing’s cracked and brittle face, then ripped the Blight out of every bone in it’s body. As it crumpled to the floor, no longer undead but simply dead, Redro ensnared the blight to his will and wrapped it around his arm like a tight fitting glove. Pointing to the mess on the floor, he turned to the nearest zombie and said “Clean that up,” then went back to the altar.

It was a nerve-racking process, adding just the right amount Blight at just the right time, but, somehow, he did it. A few minutes later the crystal seemed stable, it’s resonance perfect and it’s coloring uniform. It was finally done. Done! He shut down the focus crystals, reached for his creation, and-

“NO!!!”

Before his eyes, the crystal pulsed, then throbbed, then went completely haywire. He could sense the Blight and Order unraveling within it’s faceted being, its once perfect crystalline structure in shambles as the Blight took over. In a few moments all that was left was a pile of Blighted dust, the Order completely eradicated.

Silence, thick as congealed blood, settled over the chamber as Redro tried to contain himself. His willpower won out; soon he had mastered his emotions, and was calculating his next move. He casually reached out toward the blight and absorbed it, saving it for later use. Then he turned to the circle of zombies and said in a businesslike tone, “Okay, you guys know the drill; get me more crystals. We’re going to keep this up until I succeed or die. And since I’m Blighted to the core, that rather limits the options, now doesn’t it? Get to it!”
_________________

Spoiler:

Subject: Re: The Crystal Skeleton's Quarry Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:34 am

Anastacia Flynx was sitting at her desk, grading papers, when her ELM280 class let out. At least, she was supposed to be grading papers. She had sort of lost interest in that several minutes ago and was currently fighting mock battles outside her third story office window with small wind dervishes. She started guiltily when the door opened and Treevor Hastfik walked in, a disapproving look on his face.

"I hope that look isn't for me," Stacie chuckled at him. "I'll get these things finished today. I always do." Stacie knew she tended to wander, so she always budgeted part of her time for just such activities as her play wind battle.

Treevor just shrugged. "part of the downside of an affinity for wind, I suppose. I've got the list of students who want to join your scavenger hunt at the quarry."

Stacie thanked Treevor and took the list from him. Then she sighed in disappointment. "I was hoping for a few more, anyway. Oh well, at least some of the other departments have some students interested."

Treevor cleared his throat and, if possible, looked even more disapproving. "You know, Stacie, you can turn down students for this trip of yours...."

Stacie sighed. She liked Treevor, really. If it weren't for him, she wouldn't get half as much done as she did. But really, he did take things a bit too seriously. "You have reservations about one of the students volunteering for the trip?" She asked. After all, she was well aware she didn't take things nearly seriously enough.

"That's just it," Treevor sighed. "This student isn't exactly a volunteer. His professor's requiring it of him for him to get a passing grade. It's Ozy Gwynplaine."

Stacie put her hand to her mouth, but not to indicate dismay. She was trying to hide a smile. "Oh my, he is a troublemaker, isn't he? Still, a little levity won't hurt in this situation." Stacie's attention was starting to wander back out the window to where a nice breeze was kicking up. "Besides, it's a small price to pay for two weeks of not having to grade papers. And don't look so smug. Those ELM280 papers are due in a week. I won't be back for two. That means you get to grade them." Stacie grinned without looking around as Treevor left. He really was a sweetheart, but she never could resist a small teasing.

Stacie sighed and danced the wind over her windowsill twice more, then got back to the papers she was grading. She had a lot of extra work this weekend if she wanted to have everything prepared for the trip to the quarry.

Last edited by on Thu Apr 05, 2007 5:35 pm; edited 1 time in total

On the ridge of the quarry a large wolf-like figure prowls werily before suddenly standing upright, panting heavily.
Delven looks quite irritated at the fact that he is being hunted by the Erossus police and other law enforcement officials, but he knows he's gotten a very considerable distance away from them and has hidden his tracks well.
He changes his eyes to those of an eagle and surveys the area. Within moments his usual grin returns as he realizes there are not too many researchers for him to avoid and the quarry has many caverns for him to lay low.
But as he roams around he suddenly smells something disgusting, the scent of many rotting bodies. His curiosity gets the better of him and he begins to approach the source of the scent only to see numerous zombies leaving a cavern. He immediately hid in a crack in the wall of the cave while watching them leave. He figures it's just the work of some necromancer whose stealing crystals for profit, no big deal. His eagle eyes barely notice a strange light coming from deep within the cavern and once again his curiosity gets the better of him.
After some cautious wandering Delven catches a glimpse of Redro's cavern and the metallic altar and he is immediately overwhelmed. He had never felt such an intense aura of death even though he had met several necromancers in the past. Though his intense desire to live urged Delven to just escape as quickly and quietly as possible, his awe at the sight was so great that he let out a single word.

"..... Shocked

woah...."

A second later he realized this was NOT said in his head and had been heard by what looked like the grim reaper himself. Delven let out another word.

"...*sigh*.... :( damn"
_________________
"I eat the talking bees because I'm George Washington Christ."-Junkie [Bob the Ball]
Caption Contest Winner: #2 and #16

Honor and Virtue Joined : 31 Mar 2007 Posts : 4279

Eliane returned to her dorm, fiddling with her braid as she walked. As much of a nerd as she felt for it, she was excited about the trip. She'd always had a knack for earth magic, and the quarry sounded like a nice break from schoolwork. She dropped her books on the bed and decided to take a walk.

A short while later, Eliane made her way back to the school. She hurried back to the classroom and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Eliane quickly opened the door and stepped inside. "Professor Flynx? I was wondering what you wanted everyone to pack for the trip. I'd like to get started."

Subject: Re: The Crystal Skeleton's Quarry Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:13 pm

"Shouldn't you be packing?"

Ozy stopped strumming his lute, and looked down upon the unwelcome intrusion, otherwise known as his roommate.

"I am simply savoring some serene seconds of silly singing, since our spiteful school seeks to silence my scandalous song with the screwy solution of strenuous, slogging, servitude. Sensational! A shocking simile to slavery shall be seen! savvy?" Ozy grinned,

"Alright, but seriously. If you don't pack soon, you won't be prepared for this trip you're taking."

"if the school seriously seeks to succeed in silencing my striking spirit, it is simply because they sustain a shoddily substandard staff of seventy seers."

"Enough with the alliteration, Ozy."

Popping a mavpel candy into his mouth, Ozy resumed his strumming.

"You, sir, are simply a spoilsport. I shall pack in the morrow. Tonight, I shall eat, drink, and be merry. The finest vodka, I shall consume, until consume them I shall no more." Ozy hoped down from the bunk he was perched on.
"Come. You shouldn't deny a doomed man one last drink. Let us part with your coin, and be regaled with spirit and story from sunset to sunrise."

"If it'll get you out of my hair for two weeks, then fine, I'll buy you a drink."

"Truely you are a saint among men." Ozy exclaimed upon exit.
_________________
"When most people agree with you, worry." Rappaport, 1981

Subject: Re: The Crystal Skeleton's Quarry Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:48 pm

Stacie smiled at Eliane. "First of all, I've told you it's Stacie. 'Professor Flynx' is just way too formal for my taste. And to answer your question. Let's see. Comfortable clothes. Probably sunblock. Uhm, maybe gloves. The rocks might have sharp edges." Stacie twiddled with a pencil as she thought about it. "Any talisman you might have that would help you identify the magics in the rocks. Treevor should've told you that it was basically an inventory job. Still I think we can make it a lot of fun."

Shivering Isles Resident Joined : 26 Mar 2007 Posts : 9693

Redro heard the noise and, thinking it was one of the mages working at the site, began saying “Look, just turn around and go back the way you came. The quarry is more than big enough for-” He finally turned around to see who it was.

“GHAAAA!”

At the chamber entrance stood the largest man… well, humanoid… he had ever seen. And it looked like it could do a lot more damage than an archeology mage. Using some Order magic, he pulled up several crystalline monoliths from the ground to surround the creature in an impromptu rock cage. Then, not caring if any of the mages at the quarry heard him, he cried out “Get back here you dolts! Intruder!”

Then he turned back to the trapped creature and said, slightly out of breath, “I don’t know who or what you are, but you chose the very worst place to go sightseeing. Now… er, who and what are you?!?”

He smiled as he said this; faint, but growing louder by the moment, came the slapping of many feet and the dull grunts of his undead servants. Even if the creature could break through the rocks, he’d have to make his way though over a dozen zombies, each carrying enough Blight to kill a man… and turn them.

“I’d answer quickly, unless you want to be torn to pieces by my servants. They haven’t eaten in so long…” They didn’t have to eat, but he doubted the creature knew that.
_________________

Spoiler:

Subject: Re: The Crystal Skeleton's Quarry Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:12 pm

Delven was completely shocked, he knew he was in serious trouble for intruding on such a powerful necromancer but didn't expect to have his movement limited so soon. Looking at the crystal cage that he was suddenly trapped in he couldn't help but smile and laugh in his head for a split-second about the irony that he had just escaped prison not that long ago. He quickly looked back at Redro and realized his only chance to survive was to comply.
He forced the look of shock and fear from his face.

" :) Jeez *taps a part of the cage* that's pretty damn impressive. Well I see you obviously wanna skip any small talk, which is fine with me. The name's Delven Sahvio and apparently I'm a bit too curious for my own good. As for what I am, the label most people use is 'biological changeling...'"

With that Delven quickly protruded long, thick, spines all over his flesh except the bottoms of his feet and where his clothes covered.

"...and I'm afraid your servants will have a hard time trying to eat me :)"
_________________
"I eat the talking bees because I'm George Washington Christ."-Junkie [Bob the Ball]
Caption Contest Winner: #2 and #16

Shivering Isles Resident Joined : 26 Mar 2007 Posts : 9693

Redro had heard little about “biological changelings” save that the procedure to become one was illegal. He paused to think for a few moments. ‘So, this one must not be on friendly terms with the law. This is good. But, if he is captured, he may betray this place. And I somehow doubt that the Kingdom will allow me to continue, even though everything I do is perfectly legal. No, it is safest to simply kill him.’

He leered unpleasantly at the changeling, then said “Spikes, eh? Well, that won’t offer you much protection.” With a twitch of his hand he made dozens of crystalline spines protrude from the obelisks, surrounding him like an iron maiden. Then in a more businesslike tone he said, “Look, I don’t really want to kill you, but I’m hard pressed to find a reason to let you live. I can see that you’re on the run from something (the kingdom, no doubt), and if you are captured, you could tell them all about me. And I can’t afford that,” he finished by sitting down on the metal altar, a show of making himself comfortable while the changeling was still trapped in the deadly cage. “You’re going to have to convince me to let you live.” He would have sipped from a wine glass at this point, but, alas, there were none at hand.

A moment later, his zombies arrived. They formed up in a half circle around the cage, standing between the changling and any chance at escape.

(Edit: Denzo, maybe we should just continue on and solidify exactly what kind of relationship our characters are going to have. It wouldn't do to have the other characters bust in on us while we're still talking.)
_________________

Spoiler:

Subject: Re: The Crystal Skeleton's Quarry Sat Apr 07, 2007 12:21 am

Razi lay on her bed back in her dorm room, throwing a rock in the air, then slowing down time around it to allow herself to catch it with ease. She had packed everything she thought she would need for the trip, and now she was really just bored. She was just waiting for her roommate to return, so the two could go down to the commons and get some dinner together, but laying down was starting to take its toll, and her eyes drooped.

At least, they drooped until she forgot to catch the rock. "Crap!" she shouted, rolling out of bed and onto her knees. She clutched her forehead where the rock had hit her, feeling a trickle of blood. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't very attractive either. She quickly used her physical magic to stop the bleeding by assisting with the clotting. Once that had stopped, she used a "week" spell on the skin and veins around her forehead, speeding up the healing process and closing the wound up. It wasn't white magic, but it sufficed.

Standing up, she walked over to the bathroom so she could look at her forehead in the mirror. It wasn't bad, there was a small scab there still, but it would heal up in a couple days and be fine. As she stood there, picking at it, she suddenly realized that she'd actually come up with a use for the incredibly weak "week" spell. Grabbing a quill, she quickly jotted down "week--healing?" on her arm, to remind herself to use it as the subject of her approaching master of time dissertation.
_________________
"Bears have penises. They can stick it in butts."
~LS

Honor and Virtue Joined : 31 Mar 2007 Posts : 4279

Eliane quickly recited the list to herself, having forgotten to bring something to write it in. Fairly sure she'd memorized it, she said, "Thank you, Prof- Stacie." She turned and exited the classroom.

The wind was picking up across the campus. Out of sheer curiosity, Eliane conjured up a tiny whirlwind, just to prove to herself she could. However, she hadn't learned to control it as she discovered when it flew directly into her face.

Her braid was still sticking straight back, perpendicular to her body, when she arrived at her dorm and opened the door. Seeing the new injury on her roommate's face, she asked, "What the heck happened to you?"